Rugby World Cup Road Trip: Blood, sweat and two scoops

Salve Volpicelli at Fish Fins. Photo / Supplied

If the All Blacks cover themselves in glory this weekend, Salve Volpicelli is betting a little of his lemon pepper will be in the mix.

The HOS can now exclusively reveal that the 'Friar of the Deep-Fry' - as he is known in his local neighbourhood in Wellington - was the mystery chef who got the shock of his life when a surprising group of visitors walked into his Fish Fins store earlier this month.

"The five of them brought in three groper," Volpicelli told an undercover HOS reporter in for some mussels. "Piri Weepu, Graham Henry, Sam Whitelock, Mils Muliaina, Corey Flynn and Isaia Toeava. Uncle out the back filleted them, portioned them out... all I had to do was batter and fry them."

But the 55 year old admits having difficult holding his nerve as the orders came in.

"It wasn't so busy when they arrived... just a little bit of action in the fresh fish department. I'd have been in trouble if it was a Friday night - would have put me off my game big-time."

So how does Graham Henry like his fish done? French fried?

"He didn't really say. Just walked in like a regular guy and took a look at the board. He didn't start barking out instructions on how to cook or anything like that."

"And there was no hot dogs or sausages. Uncle reckons their nutritionist must've been around the corner watching them."

30 year veteran Volpicelli says the impromptu All Black pow-wow has been a highlight in an otherwise quiet RWC. "It's been average. A lot of people are staying home to watch the games. Or rushing off to see one and wanting their chips crispy when there's no time for it..."

"But Piri played pretty good last week. So if he wants to pop back down for some fritters before Sunday's game, they'll be on the house for sure."